Montana
Montana bill could require priests to break seal of confession
CNA Staff, Jan 22, 2025 / 14:15 pm
A Montana bill that could compel Catholic priests to break the seal of confession is being criticized by Catholics who say it could eliminate key religious liberty protections.
The proposed bill would “eliminate clergy exemption in mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.” It states that clergy and others in the mandatory reporting group such as medical practitioners and social workers “may not refuse to make a report as required … on the grounds of a physician-patient or similar privilege.”
While clergy are often mandatory reporters outside of the confessional, long-standing legal precedent in the U.S. recognizes the religious freedom of confessors and penitents to be exempt from those rules.
Clergy members are already mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect in Montana, though current Montana law upholds the priest-penitent privilege, requiring that “a member of the clergy or priest may not, without the consent of the person making the confession, be examined as to any confession made to the individual.”
The sacramental seal of confession in the Catholic Church strictly prohibits priests from sharing anything a penitent says during the sacrament of reconciliation. Any priest who “directly violates the sacramental seal” incurs excommunication, according to the Code of Canon Law (Canon 1386).
Montana Rep. Lukas Schubert, R-Kalispell, an outspoken critic of the bill and a Catholic himself, criticized the legislation in an interview with CNA, saying it targeted Catholics.
“I believe that this bill is an attack on the Catholic faith,” Schubert told CNA. “This Democrat bill would attempt to require Catholic priests to break the seal of confession.”
Matthew Brower, the executive director of the Montana Catholic Conference, told CNA that the conference has been following the legislation closely and awaiting a potential hearing.
“Montana’s bishops have a good relationship with our lawmakers and that allows them the ability to effectively engage in our legislative process,” Brower said.
Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, who is sponsoring the bill, told CNA that the measure is designed “to protect children from sexual and other abuse.”
Asked about claims that the bill goes against Church teaching, Dunwell said: “This is about civil and criminal laws to protect children from child sex abuse. It’s not about canon law. Otherwise, there’d be no separation of church and state.”
Regarding the priest-penitent privilege, the U.S. Supreme Court “recognizes the human need to disclose to a spiritual counselor, in total and absolute confidence, what are believed to be flawed acts or thoughts and to receive priestly consolation and guidance in return,” according to the 1980 Trammel v. United States decision.
The priest-penitent privilege extends to more than just Catholics; several Protestant denominations including the Episcopal Church and the American Lutheran Church also hold requirements for secrecy for confession.
“All Catholics, Christians, and people with common sense must oppose this bill,” Schubert said.
Similar bills have been proposed in recent years. In May 2023 Delaware legislators proposed a bill requiring priests to break the seal of confession in cases of reporting sexual abuse. A similar law was proposed in Vermont around the same time. Both bills failed to advance in their respective legislatures.
Brower said those at the Montana Catholic Conference “look forward to working with our legislators to help clear up any misunderstandings they might have regarding mandatory reporting by clergy and the sacrament of penance.”
(Story continues below)
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“This legislation may be a well-intentioned but simply misguided proposal,” Brower noted.
Kate Quiñones is a staff writer for Catholic News Agency and a fellow of the College Fix. She has been published by the Wall Street Journal, the Denver Catholic Register, and CatholicVote, and she graduated from Hillsdale College. She lives in Colorado with her husband.
BUTTE — Butte’s annual Montana Folk Festival is drawing crowds to six stages set up across Uptown Butte, bringing art, food and music — along with some high temperatures.
WATCH: Heat can’t stop the Montana Folk Festival in Butte
Montana Folk Festival brings heat along with music, food, and art
Reggae artist Prezident Brown and his band iSound are among the performers taking the heat in stride. Brown said the dry mountain climate is nothing compared to what he’s used to back home.
“I can honestly say hundred degrees in Jamaica is a whole different story.”
When asked how he’s staying cool, Brown kept it simple.
“Yeah! I just do what I do. I drink water…orange juice!”
The Legendary Ingramettes, a gospel group from Virginia, are also finding Butte’s climate agreeable.
“We have a lot of humidity, and Butte does not. So, I’m enjoying the heat! The dry air!!”
MTN NEWS
With temperatures peaking around 90 degrees, food vendors are feeling the warmth more directly. Bozeman-based vendor Vickie Backus is working over a hot grill, serving pierogies, a food originating in Eastern Europe.
I ask her how she is keeping cool.
“You know? I’m not. I’m drinking lots of water. I have sunscreen on and I’m just leaning into it.”
Festival-goers wandering between the six stages are largely dressed for the heat — big hats, long sleeves, and sunglasses. At least one person is going barefoot —first-time festival attendee Sean Villere from Missoula says the pavement doesn’t phase him.
MTN NEWS
“It’s not that hot yet. I think it might get hotter, but it’s okay right now.”
Villere said he hasn’t worn shoes in a couple of years, including through two winters, and the callouses he’s built up protect his feet from the hot pavement.
Over the years, extreme weather has impacted festival attendance, but this year most people seem comfortable with the conditions.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 10 drawing
02-39-44-46-56, Mega Ball: 23
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from July 10 drawing
10-13-23-30, Bonus: 02
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 10 drawing
14-42-46-47-57, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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